Golden Rock

The
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, round 5 hours drive from Yangon, also known as
Golden Rock, is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Burma and is a
popular pilgrimage destination. The rock seems apparent on the 1100
m deep to float and the legend is, it is kept by only a hair of
Buddha.

After a
short problem with our car, which was corrected in an antediluvian
car repair station, we reached the base camp at the late afternoon.
Here the hell was going on, hundreds of pilgrims will be shipped
here daily by the trucks, because the rocks can be reached only with
this collection trucks. In such kind of truck we went in a 35
minutes monkey speed ride on the steepest streets up to the hill.
For this trip you need good nerves, but it was a great experience!

( Click for large image !)

The trucks drive two thirds of the trail, only to the upper camp.
Who wants to go to the Golden rock must then continue on foot. It
was, now after 16.oo Clock and therefore not more so hot. In a
really very steep rise, we climbed up and came sometimes out of
breath. For no sportive people there are stretchers, which carry up.
But we prefer to climb.

Arrived at the top at first there are a pure
tourist rip-off. We paid for both of us and 2 Photo Cameras $ 16.
But it was worth its price, because the rock is more than
impressive.
About broad stairs then we went up to the complex or better to a
large square. It was already dusk, and many pilgrims and tourists
were also up here. Unfortunately there was not like expected by us a
quiet pilgrim atmosphere, but rather a kind of festival atmosphere
with noisy loudspeakers and music, but the people did not disturb
their devotions.

By wunderful bright and clear starshine in the dark
night and in the light of our flashlights we went back the steep
path down to our hotel.
The next morning we leafe the upper base camp in a
spectacular ride down by truck again.